Executive summary
Assessment and recommendations
Chapter 1. Securing fiscal sustainability and boosting potential growth after the crisis.
-Despite a deep recession, labour hoarding has surprised on the upside
-The main challenge ahead is the exit strategy from stimulus policies
-Boosting potential growth requires continued efforts to enhance activation policies
-Annex 1.A1. Progress in structural reform
Chapter 2. Making the pension system less vulnerable to financial crises
-The solvency of the Dutch pension system was put under pressure by financial market developments
-Recovery plans are better designed than during the last financial crisis
-The recovery plans are unlikely to secure a return to full indexation
-Making the pension funds less vulnerable to financial crises requires reforms
-Annex 2.A1. The Dutch pension system
-Annex 2.A2. The effect of the financial crisis on the solvency of Dutch pension funds and its economic consequences – a simulation
Chapter 3. The transport system can contribute to better economic and environmental outcomes.
-The expansion of transport has led to environmental costs and congestion
-Congestion can be eased by improving infrastructure supply
-Road pricing can address congestion and environment concerns directly
-An effective road pricing scheme needs improved public transport
Chapter 4. Improving the flexibility of the housing market to enhance labour mobility
-Rigidities in the housing market have an impact on labour mobility
-Policies that restrict housing supply should be reformed
-Subsidies to owner-occupied housing should be phased out
-The regulation of the rental sector should be eased
-Annex 4.A1. Social housing policies in the Netherlands: A historical perspective